by Sable Hunter
Turning her horse, she set out after him. As they traveled beneath the starry sky, Journey felt as if she were dreaming. So many times, she’d envisioned a scene like this. She’d longed for an opportunity to know this man. And now – that day had miraculously come. How? She didn’t know.
He slowed the stallion to a walk as they came closer to the mountain. Journey lifted her head to look upward at the awe-inspiring sight. From a distance, the height could be deceiving. For the most part, the dome was smooth and barren. Hikers could be seen from a great distance, appearing as ants moving on the granite surface.
“What is all this?” he asked, drawing Journey’s attention.
She looked to see what was troubling him. “This is the ranger’s station and the parking lot. People pay a fee to use the park and they register once they arrive so the rangers can keep track of the visitors.”
“None of this was here before.” He dismounted and knelt to place his hand on the concrete pavement. “I’ve never seen anything like this material.”
“Concrete. It’s a mix of calcified lime and clay, mixed with gravel and sand.” She repeated what she’d learned in science class.
“I don’t like it,” he muttered. “The ground can’t breathe.”
“Yea. Cities are full of the stuff. Easy to drive on. Unfortunately, it retains heat and leads to flooding.” She covered her mouth to stop a giggle. How absurd. Trying to wrap her brain around this surrealness made her head ache.
Without speaking, Reno returned to the saddle and they rode on. Journey shivered as the wind picked up. Eerie sounds came from the mountain as the air currents whistled and moaned around the rocks and through crevices. “Who is Ela Blue?”
“My friend. An Apache wise woman. She lives apart from her tribe. Her home is here, on this mountain in a cave.”
“There are many caves nearby. Some are rumored to be filled with gold and silver. Others are rumored to be haunted.”
“Gold.” He practically spat out the word. “As Clay said, the love of money is the root of all evil. Gold is what the raiders were searching for when they attacked the Stanton cabin. Saul’s father was a failed prospector. He never found any gold. Kinsella was sadly mistaken.”
“I’m sorry.” At the moment, she didn’t know exactly what for. He was upset and she felt the need to help him.
“No reason for you to be. I just need to find Ela’s cavern. I know right where it is. I’ve been there many times. I was there today.”
Today. Journey struggled with the concept. Faced with the reality that a man who walked the earth a century and a half ago was here with her now, a man she’d been in love with forever – normal notions concerning milestones of time like yesterday, today, or tomorrow were hard to define. “Saul and the others came here after you led Kinsella away?”
“Yes, Clay brought them. I hope and pray they’re safe.” He pulled up on the reins, standing up in the stirrups. “There’s the cave.” Settling in the saddle, he pushed his horse to begin the climb to the entrance. He could see no glow from her fire and the path to the cave was less clear, more rugged. “Come on, Traveler.” The closer he drew, the harder his heart beat.
Journey didn’t follow. She kept her mount on the trail and watched as Reno entered the empty cave. What he was looking for – who he was searching for – wouldn’t be there. A cold shiver wormed its way down her spine as she considered what to do next. The only solution she could come up with was to convince him to return with her to the ranch. She couldn’t allow him to go searching further. He wouldn’t find any place or anyone he would recognize.
What would come next? She didn’t have a clue.
Reno looked all around him, even venturing deep into the recesses of the cavern. It was empty. There was no trace of Ela at all. One would never know a woman had spent her twilight years dwelling in the sanctuary this cave provided. He took off his hat and tore his fingers through his hair in frustration. “What is going on?” So far, he’d tried to ignore the odd things he’d experienced. The strange things the woman, Journey, had told him. He thought that if he could find Clay and the others – all would make sense. The world would right itself. But no. Everything was topsy-turvy.
Knowing there was nothing for him in the cave, he left. In a few moments, he rode up next to Journey. “There was nothing there.”
“I’m sorry. What are you going to do now?”
Her question deserved an answer, only he didn’t have one. Reno wanted to go to King’s Ransom. If he could see his friends, hear their voices, all would make sense. Maybe Clay and the children were already there. Safe and sound.
What if they weren’t? What if when he arrived at the base of Packsaddle Mountain, there was no sign of any of them. Like they’d never been. Reno hung his head. He couldn’t handle that – not tonight. “Things will be different tomorrow,” he said aloud. Meeting her gaze, he asked a favor of a woman he’d only known for a few hours. “Could I bed down in front of your fire?”
“I can do better than that.” Journey smiled. “You can have your own room.”
* * *
“Stop, Dudley. Cleo! Arg!” She pushed the wiggling dogs gently to one side. “Stop licking my face, you guys.” Sitting up, she rubbed her cheek with the sheet. “I know you’re hungry. I am too.” She hadn’t eaten much at all yesterday. She’d…
“Oh, my goodness!” As memories returned, Journey jumped, practically levitating from the bed. Was Reno here? In this house? Or did she just wake up from a helluva dream? She needed to go see. Make sure he was actually here. Journey was just about to sprint for the bedroom door when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. “Ick.” On the chance that her epic crush was just down the hall, she decided to freshen up and make herself as beautiful as she could manage.
After the fastest shower and makeover on record, Journey tiptoed from the bathroom to the guest bedroom door. Turning the knob slowly, she peeped in. “Oh. Wow.” Her breath caught in her throat. The man was indeed a dream. “Damn, where’s a camera when you need one?” Since she didn’t have one handy, Journey committed to memory every facet of the vision before her.
Lying on his back on snow white sheets, his body looked like a sculpted bronze. Every muscle was carved with exquisite care. His shoulders were broad, his abs were perfection. A dusting of dark hair on his chest narrowed to the happiest of trails meandering its way down his abdomen to disappear beneath the covers. Journey had to tear her eyes away from that intriguing area of his body to look at his face. His beautiful eyes were closed, but she found much to appreciate in high cheekbones, full masculine lips, and a dark scruff of beard that she longed to rub her cheek against. Best of all was all that long, dark hair fanned out on the pillow. Whew, she’d give anything to see that sight every morning for the rest of her life.
There wasn’t much that could convince her to move, but a loud growl from her stomach did the trick. She grabbed his dirty clothes from the end of the bed, then eased away to make them breakfast. What the day would bring – she couldn’t hazard a guess.
…The warmth of the sun on his face caused Reno to open his eyes. For a few moments, he couldn’t figure out where in the world he could be. His hand soothed over impossibly soft sheets as he blinked at a box on the bedside table displaying glowing red numbers. Eight. Zero. Five. No, wait. One of the numbers changed. Now, it was eight, zero, six. “Oh, God.” Suddenly, it all came back to him.
Him checking on the children before heading to Waco. Clay joining them. The cabin being set on fire. Him leading Indians who weren’t Indians away from the cabin while Clay fled with the children to safety. Lastly, him riding through a wall of stone from the world he knew to a place he couldn’t begin to explain.
“Yea, that about sums it up.” Throwing his legs over the bed, Reno bowed his head and rubbed his eyes in an attempt to dispel the confusion plaguing him. No luck.
Rising to his feet, he stretched, checking out the tidy bedroom. Nice furniture. Solid
wood. He ran a hand over what looked like hard maple. As his eyes scanned the wall, he noted a framed certificate of some kind. Stepping nearer, he read where Sojourner Stanton graduated from Fredericksburg High School on May 9, 2015. “2015.” Ye, Gods. Had one-hundred fifty years really gone by since he rode into that box canyon?
Stepping back, he spied the door to the adjoining bathroom. Last night, Journey had shown him how it all worked. “Indoor plumbing,” he mumbled. “A sink. A shower. And a toilet. An inside outhouse. Unbelievably fancy.” He’d used them last night. When he went it to check today, they were still there. Not a figment of his imagination.
After using the bathroom, he flushed like Journey told him to, staring down into the bottom of the toilet to see the water swirling round and round. The shower was equally fascinating. Time completely got away from him as he enjoyed the luxurious flow of warm water over his skin. When he stepped out to dry off and wrapped the fluffy white towel around him, Reno decided there were some things about this crazy ordeal he enjoyed.
In fact, there were quite a few things to his liking.
Upon finding his clothes missing, Reno donned the towel, and followed his nose to the kitchen. Heavenly smells were wafting down the hall. Pork, if he wasn’t mistaken. And fried eggs. And coffee. Amazing coffee.
When he turned the corner, the scent of the food wasn’t the only thing to make him smile. Dressed in clothes that barely covered all the important parts, his hostess was dancing to music only she could hear.
“Lose Your Blues. Everybody cut footloose.”
Journey was singing to the top of her lungs. When she whirled around, the metal tray she was holding slipped out of her fingers, clanking and bouncing on the Mexican tile floor. “Lord Have Mercy!” She yanked out the blue tooth and almost swallowed her tongue. “I didn’t hear you come in.” The sight of Reno Black standing in front of her wearing only a small white towel was a sight for sore eyes.
“What’s that noise?” he asked with curiosity. “I can barely hear it, but it sounds…” He couldn’t think of a word to describe it.
“Hold on.” She adjusted the player, so the sound filled the room. “Rowdy rock-n-roll. Gotta love it.”
Reno didn’t know about loving the music, but he sure could appreciate how it inspired the pretty girl to move that beautiful body of hers. When he noticed her staring at the towel he was wearing, Reno shrugged. “My clothes were missing.”
That shrug almost dislodged the towel.
Almost. Dammit.
Placing a hand over her rapidly beating heart, Journey nodded. “I washed them. They’re in the dryer.”
“The dryer…” he said slowly.
“Yea, I’ll show you in a bit. Your clothes will be clean and dry. Warm and toasty.” She gave him a beaming smile. “Come eat. I’m starving and I bet you are too.”
Reno didn’t argue. “I am. My last meal was a bowl of Saul’s beef soup.”
“Sounds yummy. Here you go.” Journey handed him a plate full of food. “What do you take in your coffee?”
“Sugar. Three spoons.” He held up his fingers.
“Oh, you like it sweet.”
She winked at him and Reno felt his heart skip a beat. “Yes. I do.” He felt his cheeks grow warm as she leaned over to place a steaming cup of coffee next to his plate. “I uh, like what you’re wearing.” What man wouldn’t?
Journey glanced down at her blue jean shorts and simple red tank top. “Just something I threw on.” She filled her own plate and joined him, sitting in the chair opposite. “How do you feel this morning? Sleep well?”
“Like a log.” He buttered a biscuit, then took a bite. “Um, good.”
“I’m glad. Sorry, they came out of a can.”
“Really?” The thought intrigued him.
“Yea. Hold on.” She jumped up and went to the refrigerator, finding a blue tube can and bringing it to him. “Check this out.”
Reno examined the can, looking at the ends. “How do you open it?”
She showed him how to pull back the paper. “See that seam. Just whack the can on the table right at that seam.”
“All right.” He did so. When the can popped open he jumped, laughing as the biscuit dough made an appearance.
“Neat, huh?” She laughed along with him. “We’ll save those for another time.” Taking the opened can from him, she slipped the whole business into a gallon zip-lock bag and stored it in the refrigerator.
Reno watched her carefully, taking note of the odd things like the clear sack and the cold storage box. “So many things to wonder at.”
“Ask me anything you want to know.” Having him here was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her.
“I will. I’m just a bit overwhelmed. Don’t know where to start.” Reno ate thoughtfully, his eyes on Journey as she picked at her food. She was unlike anyone he’d ever known. Beautiful as a picture. Lively. So self-confident. “You said you lived alone. In Austin?”
“Yes. I have an apartment.” She pushed her plate back, too excited to eat anymore. “I don’t have a fancy job. I didn’t go to college, but I make a good living selling beauty products and home remedies made with essential oils and herbs.”
He nodded. “My mother made many things with herbs.”
His comment made her smile. “And you work on a ranch.”
“Yes. I have six partners. My captain and other members of my unit.” He sopped a bit of biscuit through the remaining egg on his plate. “We fought for the Confederacy.” As if he’d just had a thought, he jerked his head up to pin Journey with a stare. “In 2019, does the United States still exist?”
“Absolutely. How many states were there in 1869?”
“Thirty-seven.”
She raised her eyebrows and leaned in to whisper. “There are fifty now. Including Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.”
“Really.” He seemed surprised and his eyes widened further when something buzzed loudly. “What’s that?”
“Your clothes are dry.” She rose and exited the room. “We probably need to buy you some more pants and shirts.”
He started to argue but closed his mouth. She might be right. “I have money in my saddlebag.” A thought occurred to him and he rose, following her part of the way. “Did you find a small rawhide bag in the front pocket of my pants?”
“No. There was nothing in your pockets. I checked,” she called back to him.
“Huh.” He frowned. “I guess I lost it.” He hated that. Ela would disapprove.
“Here you go.” Journey announced as she returned, handing over the folded clothes. Part of her wanted to hide the garments. She hated to spoil the view. “We really need to get you some boxers or briefs. You’re going to burn up in that union suit.”
Reno gave her a funny look. “Are you talking about my unmentionables?”
Journey couldn’t help but smile. “Yea. I guess so.” She gave him a teasing look. “We’re not so uptight about underwear in the 21st century.”
“Oh, yea?” Reno wanted to ask about her unmentionables, but he held his tongue. “You’ll have to enlighten me further at another time.”
As he left the room, he gave her a sly wink and Journey had to grab onto the table for support. While he dressed, she cleaned the kitchen, and walked the dogs around the flower garden. Upon her return, she thought to check the answering machine. Sure enough, there were two messages. One was from Myra; she’d phoned while Journey was at the grocery store. “Gosh, I’ve got to get my car. I bet the stew meat is ruined.” She hoped Mr. Blue hadn’t called a tow truck to haul away her Subaru. The next message was from the Fredericksburg police department. They had located the two men who were now in police custody pending charges for aggravated assault and attempted murder. Later, she’d need to go in and make another statement. “First, I’ve got to get my car.”
“Uh, Journey?”
She whirled around to find him dressed once more. Boots. Hat. Belt. Only the duster and the bandanna we
re missing. “Yes?”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. To ease my mind, I think I’m going to ride to King’s Ransom and check on things there. Just to be sure.” The whole world might be catawampus, but he needed to see it for himself.
“King’s Ransom is near Packsaddle Mountain, right?” she asked, her mind formulating a plan.
“Yes. Half a day’s ride, so I need to get going.”
Knowing what he was going to find, Journey sought to save him some time. “Let me drive you. It’ll be a heck of a lot quicker. We can walk over to the neighbors, get my car, then go from there.”
“In one of those horseless carriages?” As long as he was stuck in this unbelievable situation, he might as well go whole hog.
“Right. I have a red Subaru. Not too sporty, but it’ll get us from point A to point B.”
“I’m willing.” He gave her an agreeable nod and headed to the door. “I’ll check on Traveler first.”
Journey was right behind him. “Mr. Kota may be here already. If he is, I can ask him about my car.” She caught up with Reno. “I left it there last night when I was trying to get away from those men.” A shiver crept down her back. “You know, I think they were crazy enough to kill me. I’m sure glad you came along when you did.”
“Saving you makes this…debacle worthwhile.” As they made their way across the manicured lawn, Reno barely registered the plants and trees they passed. His mind was struggling with the possibility that Journey was right. What if he was a hundred and fifty years in the future? What then?
“Oh, there’s the grandson now.”
Journey waved her hand and took off running toward a young man who was busy giving Traveler a good brushing down. “At least someone’s enjoying themselves.” As soon as he muttered the words, he challenged them. If he wasn’t so worried and confused, sharing time with this gorgeous woman would be amazing. She was doing everything in her power to make things easy for him. As he watched her speaking animatedly to Mr. Blue, he remembered what she’d said the night before.
